JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 11, 2008) - The ETSU Baseball team wrapped up its first full week of full-squad practices this past weekend. The Bucs will continue to practice in preparation for the 2008 season opener at Auburn on Feb. 22.

"I have been very pleased with our preseason practices over the first ten days of February," said head coach Tony Skole. "We still have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time, but the enthusiasm and energy of our players has been outstanding."

ETSU has been engaged in conditioning drills and individual workouts since January 14. Skole is encouraged by the attitude and potential the players have shown since school began this semester.

"These guys have been working extremely hard. Because of the later start date, from an individual player standpoint, I think our guys are much further ahead than in year's past, but as a team we still have a lot we need to improve on," Skole said. "Hopefully over the next ten days we will continue to make strides in executing the fundamentals of the game. The intensity and competitiveness of our scrimmages have been at a very high level which is a bright spot."

The 2008 Bucs return 14 players from last season, including six position players and four pitchers with starting experience. With the addition of 11 newcomers ETSU will look to make a run in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

"Offensively our top performers have been Ryan Self (Mount Juliet, Tenn.) and Anthony Russell (Waldorf, Md.), while on the mound our top performers have been Brandon Langston (Ringgold, Ga.), Josh Means (Kennesaw, Ga.) and Ty Sarchet (Honolulu, Hawaii)," Skole said. "We have a very demanding schedule early so these next ten days of practice are going to be very important."

The Bucs will play a four game series from Feb. 22-25 against Auburn at PlainsmanPark. Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on ETSU baseball and all other Buccaneer athletic news.